The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to empowering Nigerian youths through the transformation of the livestock sector, with a focus on job creation, food security and economic growth.
The Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, made this known while receiving a delegation from the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) during a courtesy visit to the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
Speaking at the meeting, the Minister said the Ministry is repositioning the livestock sector by promoting modern and profitable livestock enterprises across the value chain. He noted that the initiative will focus on areas such as animal husbandry, genetic improvement, milk aggregation and processing, feed and fodder production, cold-chain storage, meat processing, packaging and other value-added activities.
Maiha disclosed that the Ministry is developing a Women and Youth Livestock Empowerment Initiative aimed at engaging 1,000 youths from each of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to 37,000.
He encouraged young Nigerians to develop viable and sustainable business plans, stressing that youth empowerment remains central to the Ministry’s strategy for livestock sector development.
“Youths are our primary target because they represent the future of the industry. We are intentionally involving them in the design and implementation of programmes that will redefine and modernise livestock production in Nigeria,” the Minister stated.
He further assured NANS of the Ministry’s readiness to partner with the association in promoting youth entrepreneurship and participation in livestock development.
Earlier, the National Financial Secretary of NANS and leader of the delegation, Comrade Alao John, said the visit was aimed at exploring areas of collaboration with the Ministry and presenting proposals that align with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He explained that the association had developed a national initiative focused on equipping students with practical skills in poultry farming, fish farming, goat and sheep production, dairy farming and animal feed production.
Comrade Alao also advocated stronger collaboration between the Ministry and tertiary institutions to establish livestock training centres, practical agricultural hubs and internship opportunities for students studying agriculture, veterinary medicine and related disciplines.
He further called for youth-focused empowerment programmes, including graduate livestock enterprise schemes, start-up grants for student entrepreneurs, access to low-interest agricultural loans, scholarships for students in agriculture-related fields and research grants for undergraduate and postgraduate students.
The NANS delegation also sought the Ministry’s support for the proposed National Students Livestock and Food Security Summit themed, “Empowering Nigerian Students Through Livestock Development: Creating Jobs, Enhancing Food Security and Driving National Growth.”
The meeting was attended by students from various universities and colleges of agriculture, senior officials of the Ministry and the Senior Special Assistant to the Honourable Minister.
